The summer Olympics in Rio in a fortnight’s time may be the biggest sporting event on earth but they also mark an important step in the countdown to PyeongChang 2018, the next winter games, in South Korea, which will be the next Olympics after Rio.
There’s be a PyeongChang 2018 House on Brazil’s famous Copacabana beach during the Games, The 50×8-metre building will be open from 6 to 21 August to provide a look ahead of the next Olympic Winter Games and promote Korean food, culture and music. The latter will include both modern K-POP, accompanied by high-energy break-dancers in action, and classical Korean music.
The PyeongChang 2018 House will employ the “latest information and communications technologies to create a unique environment where visitors can learn about Olympic winter sports and experience ski jumping with help from a four dimensional virtual reality simulator,” a statement on behalf of the PyeongChang 2018 team reads.
The 2018 Olympic organisers have also just launched a new website where would-be Olympic volunteers can apply for one of the 22,400 volunteer positions that will available to assist with a range of tasks in areas that include sport, medical services, media operations, technology and language services. Volunteers will undergo free training and will be offered uniforms, accommodation, meals, insurance and other benefits.
“Volunteers will be part of history”, Hee-beom Lee, President of the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee, said. “It will be a priceless opportunity to make friends and learn about the world, leaving lasting memories that will shine forever.”
Finally the IOC have approved PyeongChang 2018’s suggested mascot, a white tiger named “Soohorang” which will make its international debut at PyeongChang House in Rio.
The tiger is seen as a symbol of trust, strength and protection in Korean folk and as a national guardian in Korean mythology. It’s white colour is in recognition of snowe and ice and it’s namne derives from “Sooho,” the Korean word for “protection”, and “Rang” is from the Korean word for tiger “ho-rang-i”
